Shloka 44
यदात्मना स्वमात्मान प्रशंसे पुरुषर्षभ । यथाप्रज्ञं तु ते प्रश्नान् प्रतिवक्ष्यामि पूच्छ माम्,युधिष्ठिरने कहा--यक्ष! मैं तुम्हारे अधिकारकी वस्तुको नहीं ले जाना चाहता। मैं स्वयं ही अपनी बड़ाई करूँ; इस बातकी सत्पुरुष कभी प्रशंसा नहीं करते। मैं अपनी बुद्धिके अनुसार तुम्हारे प्रश्नोंका उत्तर दूँगा, तुम मुझसे प्रश्न करो
yad ātmanā svam ātmānaṁ praśaṁse puruṣarṣabha | yathāprajñaṁ tu te praśnān prativakṣyāmi pṛccha mām ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O best of men, if one praises one’s own self by oneself, that is not the kind of praise approved by the truly virtuous. Still, according to my understanding, I shall answer your questions. Ask me.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint in speech: self-praise is not esteemed among the virtuous. Even when compelled to speak about oneself, one should remain modest and answer only within the limits of one’s true understanding.
In the Yakṣa–Yudhiṣṭhira dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the Yakṣa respectfully and agrees to respond to the Yakṣa’s questions. He signals humility—disavowing self-glorification—while committing to answer as best as his intellect allows.